Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green

[aloha]

It's FAB! had a total refurb with Lottery funding and is now fantastic. Loads to play with, toys everywhere, dressing up, play kitchen, computer games, sandpit, plus fantastic exhibits including toys you remember from your own childhood and beautiful dolls houses. Ds - 3 - loved it so much he begs to go back every day. Nice cafe too. Highly recommended for these cold winter days. It's in East London.

And craft activities on Sundays too! My 13 year old stepdaughter really loved it too. Something for everyone!

Ooh, that sounds good. I passed it on the bus today -- it's v close to us! Must take my son (also 3). I had been worried that there was more stuff to look at than to do.

Thanks for that!

My DD and my own Mum loved it - I was thrilled to see a Pippa doll there - anyone remember Pippa?

they also do workshops, art, unusual games etc. I took DD1 and 5 friends to a games workshop for her birthday and they had a fantastic time! A brilliant place!!!!!!!!!!!

Finbar - I loved Pippa - she was So nicer than Barbie/Sindy

I've heard about this and it sounds great. Is it something a fourteen month old will appreciate or do I need to wait? Almost can't wait as I live nearby... please advise!

oooh, brings back happy memories - I lived in London pre-kids and used to go there on my days off - I love dolls houses and very old toys. Nice to hear it is still going strong.

I encourage everyone to go with kids of any age and dads like it too as they have action man tanks from the 70s etc. They also have soft play sessions which are great for a burst of energy. Lots to do and look at and wonderful dolls houses. Really close to the tube, 10 minutes walk from slightly sorrowful BR station and excellent shop for stocking fillers.
They have a good website too.

We go all the time and DS absolutely LOVES it. However, I don't rate the cafe--horrid 'picnic' selections of sugary rubbish for the kids, and, (even worse), burnt-tasting coffee!

A 14 month old could use the little rocking toys, the soft play area, go in the sandpit, the Clifford ride (take lots of 20p pieces - it may be free entry, but some things need 20ps), and lots of moving things to look at. Woth it if you're near by. Parking v difficult (and impossible in the week).

It's FAB!

Do you go often, Blu? We're there every couple of weeks.

No, I am a new convert, having been introduced by a certain MN-er. But we will be regulars from now on - DS, 3.5, is raving about it.
It's perfect for us, DS is a bit on the independent side, but it's not big enough to get truly lost in, only one exit, etc.
We probably can't fit it in again til after Xmas - but post when you're going, Arabica!

My DS is also 3.5 and seems to love something different each time, yesterday it was Lego and the sandpit but he also spent ages with the dolls' houses and the rocking horse. I expect we'll be going again during the Xmas hols.

yes it is good - we go a lot - though dss are a bit bored with it atm

We love the Museum of Childhood. It's hard to keep DS1 out of the sand pit. (We were there yesterday with two other three-year-olds.) We live quite close.

There's an excellent cafe around the corner, called the Gallery Cafe. Vegetarian, buffet-style place, really nice food, quite cheap. It's on Old Ford Road, just east of the swimming pool.

It's not open on Sundays, though.

Other nearby food options: Nando's on Bethnal Green (bit of a stroll) or Il Forcetta (sp?) on Bethnal Green.

I like the Gallery cafe too, but I can never persuade DS to leave the museum for something as unimportant as lunch! City Farm is also a good option to go to on same day, their cafe is excellent.